Field Day and a Luau.

Harris' class celebrated the end of the year with a luau-themed field day.  Harry chose to dress for the field day rather than the luau.

He did, however, add his grass skirt, lei, and handmade Gilligan hat to participate in all the games with his class.

The poor kid was not a fan of the sack race, but he informed me that his favorite activity was the golf center.  I could handle that.

After field day, pizza was served to all the parents and kids, and Harry was super stoked about the "Lightning McQueen" cake purchased for dessert.

The end of the year has not illicited any tears from me, mostly because we've decided to give Harry an extra year before sending him on to public kindergarten.  He'll be participating in Primrose's Private Kindergarten program for the 2011-2012 school year, and I couldn't be happier.

Next May, though, I'd start buying stock in Kleenex.

Crazy Day.

It was "crazy day" at school last week.

This entire outfit was Harris' idea, including the two pairs of shorts.

He's a mess, that kid.

Sodor.

We headed up to Chattanooga last Saturday with the Boozers for our annual ride on Thomas, that cheeky little engine from the Island of Sodor.

Even though Harris is finally starting to grow out of his Thomas phase, the kids still had a fantastic time seeing all the exhibits, listening to Thomas stories, and taking a spin on the train.

Haddie A. loved rocking her Rosie tattoo,

and Harris figured out a way to "feed" the animals at the petting zoo even though we didn't buy him any actual animal feed.  The kid found a discarded plastic cup and a bucket of water and went to work hydrating the goats.

Catherine attempted a family photo for us, but Ben was so worried about making sure the trains could be seen that we ended up looking more separate than together.  I guess he's more into Percy than he lets on.

My favorite part of the day, other than the actual train ride, was the Thomas story and movie time.  Not so much for the actual story and movie as for the air conditioning, but it was my favorite just the same.

Although this face ranked pretty high up there, too:

Stellar Season.

Harry and Babe finished up the 2011 t-ball season on a high note.  Although Hadley never once played in the field, she took her turn at bat the majority of the time and ran proudly around the bases as often as she could.  Harris enjoyed hitting the ball and playing first base and Ben and I enjoyed seeing his confidence and ability improve 110% from last year.

They definitely earned their trophies this season!

We're gearing up for soccer season now!

Daddy/Daughter Date Night.

It's been a while since I've given props to the ol' parks and recreation department, so I'd say this post is pretty timely.  Harris and I attend the Mother/Son Halloween Dance every year, and for the first time ever, Babe was finally old enough to attend the Daddy/Daughter Princess Dance held at the Historic Courthouse last week.

She had a blast.  She specifically requested a "Belle dress," and Ben said she had a great time coloring, meeting the Prince and Princess from Medieval Times, snacking on "pink princess food," and busting a move on the dance floor.

She's got him wrapped around her little finger. 

Until he starts to regulate, that is.

Captain Daddy.

Ben started a new job a couple of weeks ago.  Leaving the GBI was bittersweet, but we are so, so proud of him and so excited for the new opportunities coming his way.

The kids and I helped him celebrate with a few special gifts the night before his big day,

and I had the privelege of watching him get sworn in as the new Captain of the Lilburn Police Department the next afternoon.

Unfortunately, Babe's only other "captain" reference happens to be "Captain Hook," but we've worked hard to assure her that Daddy will not be coming home with a hook for a hand.  At least not any time soon.  I think she's finally starting to understand. :)

I'm honored to be able to share in this part of my baby-faced captain's life.  I'm just waiting for my t-shirt (or large button) that says "I'm with the Captain."  I'd settle for "Captain's Wife," too.

Mother's Day.

Being a mom brings out the best and the worst in me.  Too often I focus on my failures.  It sure is nice to take a day to celebrate some of things I actually get right.  Especially when presents are involved. :)

This year, my sweet family surprised me with a butterfly bush (we dig butterflies around here!), an awesome red necklace, and a new pair of sunglasses.  Harry and Babe are so funny when it comes to surprises these days...they really get into keeping everything a "sercret," especially when Ben or I try to press them for information. I used to think people were crazy when they would tell me that kids only got better with every stage and every age, but now I totally get it.  I think every stage has been my favorite so far, and this one is no exception.

After church, we met Auntie, DB, CoCo, Sam, and Granti at La Cazuela for a buffet lunch.

Don't ask. 

Even though the buffet was awesome, the real Mother's Day treat began after lunch, when we boarded a trolley for a historic downtown tour.  I was prepared for a quick spin around the square, but the tour ended up lasting right about an hour.  And it was seriously so much fun.

Mostly because this lady was our guide:

She was incredible.  Seriously.  Witty, sarcastic, and full of old school knowledge.  I'm not sure we got a historic tour as much as we got to hear her life story and her personal memories, but either way we had a great time.

I love my family.  I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my siblings, I love my mom, and I love just about any excuse to have them all involved in something together.

Especially when that excuse is Mother's Day.

National Train Day.

A couple of weekends ago, after a well-played t-ball game, our family celebrated National Train Day for the second year in a row by heading over to the Vines Gardens "Train Garden."

Pop was lucky enough to get to join us this year!  For the most part, the kiddos had a blast.  Babe got slightly cranky toward the end of our time there, but that's really nothing new. :)

Ben was in heaven.  Especially when the engineers (read: cute little old men who set up and care for the train garden) let him hold the sledge hammer used to drive in real railroad ties.

He even picked up a couple of magazines about starting your own train garden.  Dream on, big boy.

We did learn that National Train Day is May 10 each year, and that the Vines Gardens engineers always celebrate the Saturday before.  If you're ever in the area, check it out.  It's hard to beat running model trains (including Thomas and Percy!), shade, free food (hot dogs and chips), free ice cream sandwiches, and free crafts. 

If it's free, it's for me.

And him.

Happy Belated Train Day!

Muffins for Mom.

Last Friday, I got to attend "Muffins for Mom" with my favorite four-year-old boy.

In addition to my muffin, I was also given a sweet Mother's Day card, a homemade bookmark, and a flower pot picture frame with a snapshot of my guy's sweet face.

According to the card, he loves me because I "give him toys" and "give him a hug and kiss every morning." 

I love him just because.

Spring Fling.

A couple of weeks ago, Harris' school hosted their annual "Spring Fling" carnival. 

I will never, ever forget my elementary school's spring carnivals.  I don't really know why, but I vividly remember the "lollipop tree."  It was by far my favorite booth...and it was, quite literally, a tree cut out of plywood, with small holes for lollipops all over it.  You picked the sucker you wanted out of one of the holes, and if there was a black dot on the end of your sucker stick, you won a prize.  Random, I know...but still one of my faves.  I also dug the cakewalk. 

But I digress...

We spent a great Saturday morning at Primrose.  Harris spent most of his time sliding and jumping and crawling and climbing on the moonwalks with his friend, Carly.

Babe got her fingernails painted.

She's a diva, I tell you.

The kids also tried their hand at extinguishing fires, ricocheting rubber frogs, throwing rings, and tossing bean bags...

...and every single one of those games ended with a lovely (cheap) plastic prize.  God bless you, Mom, for letting us keep all that stuff when we were kids.

After catching a magic show from Toofpik the Clown and filling up on a few "fair" snacks, it was time to call it a day.

We're already looking forward to next year...

Go Warhawks!

My "little" brother, Tyler, works on the coaching staff of the football team at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.  He is also, evidently, getting a Master's in "PowerPoint," although I'm sure there is another, more official term for the degree, and is pretty much busy all the time.

He was able to come home for a few days last week, though, and the kids ate it up.  Even though it took a little convincing to get them to actually put the shirts Tyler brought them on (Harris was fairly adamant he only likes the G-Dawgs), the kids are attached to them, and TyTy, now.

We can't wait to see him again soon!

Easter.

Seven o'clock came bright and early Easter morning.  Thankfully, our sweet Harris follows "bedtime" directions very well and never leaves his room before the set time.  He's our little alarm clock, though...it's extremely rare that he ever sleeps past the appointed time, so it didn't surprise us one bit to hear his little feet hit the ground running as soon as the clock changed.

He was especially excited because, on his way to our room, he snuck a peek down the stairs and was able to see that not only had the Easter bunny eaten most of his carrots, but he'd also filled the baskets with what looked like some pretty exciting stuff.

We let Harry wake Babe up and headed down the stairs as a family.  I think we've reached prime holiday age around here.  Both kiddos were super stoked, there were no tears, and even though Ben and I were beat, it was a great, great morning.

Harris informed us (the day before Easter) that he was most excited about finding a chocolate bunny in his basket.  Harry evidently had big plans about eating the ears off of the chocolate bunny, which is exactly what he did.  In fact, he ended up receiving more than one chocolate bunny, and he managed to bite the ears off of all of them, leaving the large chocolate bodies still laying around.

After digging through the baskets, we all got ready for an AMAZING day at church.  The worship was phenomenal, the message was awesome, the food was delicious, and the pictures with the Easter bunny and childrens' egg hunt only made things better.  Pop, Granti, Auntie, DB, CoCo, Mo, Raven, and SamSam even got in on the fun!

After the egg hunt, we packed up our goodies and headed over to Lil' Ben's house for more candy!!  The kids totally racked up on Easter gifts this year, and Ben and I stuffed our faces, napped for a little bit, caught up with family, and watched The Sound of Music while Harry and Babe played non-stop with anyone who acknowledged them (which was pretty much everyone!).

I literally collapsed into bed on Sunday night, grateful most of all for the sacrifice made by my Savior and the power of God displayed in raising Him from the dead, but also counting the unbelievable blessings bestowed on me on a daily basis here on earth.

Mercy and grace and love and forgiveness and power and redemption truly belong to God.  I'm living proof of all that and much, much more.